Henderson eyeing World Cup spot

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson believes his improved club form has boosted his chances of winning a place in England's World Cup finals squad.

The 23-year-old has been called up for the forthcoming Wembley friendlies against Chile and Germany, having won the most recent of his five senior caps almost 18 months ago.

Henderson was a late call-up for Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad after Frank Lampard was forced out of the tournament because of a thigh strain.

Substitute appearances at the finals against France and Italy followed, before the Liverpool midfielder returned to England's Under-21 side.

He captained the Under-21s as they endured a poor summer at the European Championships in Israel, losing all three games as they went out in the group stages.

Henderson is no longer eligible for the Under-21s, and has set his sights on making an impact in the senior set-up as Hodgson thinks about a squad for the World Cup in Brazil next year.

And he believes that he is a better player now that he was when he last played for Hodgson.

"It is up for grabs for anyone," Henderson told the Liverpool Echo. "If you are doing well and your team is doing well then people will be looking at you. But you have to take the chance.

"Now I have the opportunity to go and train with England and I have to make sure I am right.

"I think I have improved definitely over the last few years. I have to keep doing that and keep improving as time goes on.

"I'm delighted to be back in the squad.

"It's a massive boost and I'm delighted to be going there, but when I am there I need to make sure that I am working hard and keep doing what I have been doing here and do the best I can and make sure I am getting picked again."

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